ID :
15780
Wed, 08/13/2008 - 18:18
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https://oananews.org//node/15780
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Terror trial jury warned over prejudice
The judge in the trial of 12 alleged Melbourne terrorists has warned jurors not to let prejudice towards Muslims cloud their judgment.
Justice Bernard Bongiorno on Wednesday began his final directions to the jury in the trial which has run for more than 100 days. The alleged group leader Abdul Nacer Benbrika, 47, and 11 other alleged group members have pleaded not guilty to charges including knowingly being a member of a terrorist organisation.
The trial heard that the Melbourne Cricket Ground on AFL Grand Final Day and Crown Casino were discussed as potential bombing targets.
Justice Bongiorno on Wednesday told jurors they must base their decision solely on the evidence before the court.
"There has been a lot of talk in this trial about anti-Muslim sentiment and anti-Muslim feeling in the community," Justice ongiorno said. "Prejudice, sympathy and such things have no part in a criminal trial."
He said jurors must also exclude outside influences such as the media and the internet when they deliberate. "It is important that you determine the case on the evidence you have heard, not on any other idea or comment you may have heard," Justice Bongiorno said. It is important that you don't do any research of your own."
Justice Bongiorno told the court that one juror would be balloted out of the jury panel, prior to their deliberation. The remaining 12 jurors would be asked to reach a unanimous verdict on the 27 charges before them. "You must consider each count and each accused as a completely separate trial," Justice Bongiorno said.
Prosecution witness Izzydeen Atik told the jury in April that the 2005 AFL grand final was the original target of the group. But the grand final attack had to be put off after ASIO and police raided the homes of group members in July 2005, two months before Sydney beat West Coast in the premiership decider before a crowd of 91,828. The 12 men charged are Abdul Nacer Benbrika, 48, of Dallas, Aimen Joud, 23, of Hoppers Crossing, Shoue Hammoud, 27, of Hadfield, Amer Haddara, 28, of Yarraville, Abdullah Merhi, 23, of Fawkner, Ahmed Raad, 25, of Fawkner, Bassam Raad, 27, of Brunswick, Ezzit Raad, 26, of Preston, Majed Raad, 24, of Coburg, Fadl Sayadi, 28, of Coburg, Hany Taha, 33, of Hadfield and Shane Kent, 31, of Meadow Heights.
Justice Bongiorno's directions to the jury continue on Thursday.
Justice Bernard Bongiorno on Wednesday began his final directions to the jury in the trial which has run for more than 100 days. The alleged group leader Abdul Nacer Benbrika, 47, and 11 other alleged group members have pleaded not guilty to charges including knowingly being a member of a terrorist organisation.
The trial heard that the Melbourne Cricket Ground on AFL Grand Final Day and Crown Casino were discussed as potential bombing targets.
Justice Bongiorno on Wednesday told jurors they must base their decision solely on the evidence before the court.
"There has been a lot of talk in this trial about anti-Muslim sentiment and anti-Muslim feeling in the community," Justice ongiorno said. "Prejudice, sympathy and such things have no part in a criminal trial."
He said jurors must also exclude outside influences such as the media and the internet when they deliberate. "It is important that you determine the case on the evidence you have heard, not on any other idea or comment you may have heard," Justice Bongiorno said. It is important that you don't do any research of your own."
Justice Bongiorno told the court that one juror would be balloted out of the jury panel, prior to their deliberation. The remaining 12 jurors would be asked to reach a unanimous verdict on the 27 charges before them. "You must consider each count and each accused as a completely separate trial," Justice Bongiorno said.
Prosecution witness Izzydeen Atik told the jury in April that the 2005 AFL grand final was the original target of the group. But the grand final attack had to be put off after ASIO and police raided the homes of group members in July 2005, two months before Sydney beat West Coast in the premiership decider before a crowd of 91,828. The 12 men charged are Abdul Nacer Benbrika, 48, of Dallas, Aimen Joud, 23, of Hoppers Crossing, Shoue Hammoud, 27, of Hadfield, Amer Haddara, 28, of Yarraville, Abdullah Merhi, 23, of Fawkner, Ahmed Raad, 25, of Fawkner, Bassam Raad, 27, of Brunswick, Ezzit Raad, 26, of Preston, Majed Raad, 24, of Coburg, Fadl Sayadi, 28, of Coburg, Hany Taha, 33, of Hadfield and Shane Kent, 31, of Meadow Heights.
Justice Bongiorno's directions to the jury continue on Thursday.
